BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This disclosure directs itself to a wearable electronic simulated smoking device
that provides convenient storage and use as an alternative to inhalation of the smoke
from burning a composition containing a desired active ingredient. More in particular,
the disclosure is directed to a wearable electronic simulated smoking device that
includes a tubular body that is configured to at least partially encompass a portion
of a user's body and thereby be easily transported by the user. Still further, the
disclosure is directed to a wearable electronic simulated smoking device where the
tubular body has at least a portion thereof which is reversibly bendable into, or
out of, an arcuate contour. Further, the tubular body may include at least one portion
having a fixed contour as well as at least one portion that is reversibly bendable.
[0002] Electronic simulated smoking devices, commonly known as e-cigarettes or e-cigs, came
into being in the early 1960's. These simulated smoking devices have grown in acceptance
and popularity because it is believed that they are less toxic to the user than the
conventional method of inhaling a desired active ingredient through burning a source
of that ingredient and inhaling the products of that combustion, there is a greatly
reduced concern about "secondhand smoke," as well. They have also grown in popularity
due to people's fascination with gadgetry.
[0003] Nevertheless, there has not been a new or fashionable way of transporting or storing
these devices on one's person. They are often carried loose or in cases that are put
in a user's pocket or handbag. Unlike a conventional cigarette, cigar or pipe that
typically and most easily is ignited and burned until the substance carrying the active
ingredient is substantially consumed, the e-cigarette can be used intermittently.
The e-cigarette is inactive whenever no inhalations are being made through the device
and can be stored on the user's person. Thus, there is a need for a more convenient
storage and transport mechanism for electronic simulated smoking devices.
[0004] KR 2012 0089546 discloses a known electronic simulated smoking device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to the invention there is provided a wearable electronic simulated smoking
device as claimed in claim 1.
[0006] A wearable electronic simulated smoking device is provided that includes an elongated
tubular body, having at least a portion thereof that is reversibly bendable for the
tubular body to at least partially encompass a portion of a user's body. The tubular
body has an air inlet formed therein, a suction opening, and a fluid flow path therebetween.
The smoking device also includes a fluid reservoir disposed in the tubular body for
providing a supply of a liquid smoking composition. Further, the smoking device includes
a nebulization chamber disposed in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir and
the fluid flow path for dispensing a vapor of the liquid smoking composition to the
fluid flow path. The smoking device further includes a sensor disposed in fluid communication
with the fluid flow path for detecting an inhalation by the user. Still further, the
wearable electronic simulated smoking device includes a controller coupled to the
sensor and the nebulization chamber. The controller is configured to activate the
nebulization chamber responsive to the sensor detecting inhalation by the user to
add the vapor of the smoking liquid composition to air drawn through the fluid flow
path. The smoking device still further includes a power supply coupled to the controller.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007]
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration, partially cut-away, of a wearable electronic simulated
smoking device;
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration, partially cut-away, of another wearable electronic
simulated smoking device;
FIG. 2A is an illustration of the configuration shown in FIG. 2 in a straightened
contour;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view taken along the section line 3 - 3 in FIG. 2 showing
an alternate structure of the tubular body;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial view taken along the section line 4 - 4 in FIG. 2 showing
an another alternate structure of the tubular body;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view taken along the section line 5 - 5 in FIG. 2 showing
an alternate coupling structure of the tubular body;
FIG. 6. is an enlarged partial view taken along the section line 6 - 6 in FIG. 2 showing
another alternate coupling structure of the tubular body;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial view taken along the section line 7 - 7 in FIG. 2 showing
a further alternate coupling structure of the tubular body;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section line 8 - 8 of FIG. 2 showing
a further alternate structure of the tubular body;
Fig. 9 is an illustration of a modification of the configuration shown in Fig. 1 to
be worn on a user's wrist;
Fig. 10 is a schematic illustration, partially cut-away, of a further wearable electronic
simulated smoking device in a bent contour;
Fig. 11 is an illustration of the configuration shown in Fig. 10 being worn on a user's
finger; and
Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken along the section line 12 - 12 in FIG. 2 showing
an liquid container arrangement according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0008] Referring to Figs. 1-12, there is shown a wearable electronic simulated smoking device
100, 100', 100" for convenient storage and use as an alternative to inhalation of
the smoke from burning a composition containing a desired active ingredient. Wearable
electronic simulated smoking device 100, 100', 100" includes a unique housing in the
form of a tubular body 110 that is configured to at least partially encompass a portion
of a user's body and thereby be easily transported by the user. While being worn,
wearable electronic simulated smoking device 100, 100', 100", in some instances, can
be used to deliver a desired active ingredient through inhalation by the user through
that device.
[0009] Referring now to Figs. 2 and 2A, there is shown schematic illustrations of a wearable
electronic simulated smoking device 100. Wearable electronic simulated smoking device
100 includes an elongated tubular housing 110, a portion of which 112 is reversibly
bendable into, or out of, an arcuate contour. In the particular configuration shown,
the bendable portion 112 is defined by substantially the entire extent of the tubular
body 110. As will be described in following paragraphs, the bendable portion 112 of
tubular body 110 may be formed of various plastic or metallic materials having properties
and/or structural arrangements providing the necessary pliancy to be reversibly bendable,
either elastically or inelastically.
[0010] Fig. 2A illustrates the wearable electronic simulated smoking device 100 arranged
for use. The tubular body 110 is straightened longitudinally from its arcuate storage
configuration shown in Fig. 2, allowing a user to easily access the mouthpiece portion
120. The user can then inhale through the suction opening 126 to obtain delivery of
a liquid smoking composition in the form of an aerosol or vapor carried by air drawn
into the tubular body through the air inlet opening 122. Each time a user inhales
through the suction opening 126, the light transmissive end cap 170 is illuminated
in correspondence therewith.
[0011] The operation of wearable electronic simulated smoking device 100 is best understood
by referring back to Fig. 2. Wearable electronic simulated smoking device 100 includes
a hollow tubular body 110 housing the components that store a smoking liquid composition
132 and provide the means to deliver the composition 132 to the air inhaled through
the device by the user. The components that are combined to form an electronic simulated
smoking device, commonly referred to as an e-cig or e-cigarette, are well known in
the art and thus their particular structures will not be described in detail, other
than where modifications have been incorporated therein to accommodate the bendability
of the tubular body 110 or portions thereof.
[0012] Wearable electronic simulated smoking device 100 includes a supply of a smoking liquid
composition 132 within a fluid container 130. The smoking liquid composition contains
an active ingredient intended to be inhaled, such as a nicotine solution, a mixture
of nicotine and flavorings and/or aromatic compositions, and where legally permitted,
a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) solution, a mixture of THC and flavorings and/or aromatic
compositions, and combinations thereof, as examples. The supply of the smoking liquid
composition 132 may be stored as liquid within fluid container 130 or absorbed in
a porous material disposed in fluid container 130. Fluid container 130 is formed of
a flexible plastic material so that it is able to conform to the contour of the internal
bore 1101 of the bendable portion 112 of tubular body 110 when that portion is bent
into an arcuate contour. The outer diameter of the fluid container 130 is sufficiently
smaller than the inner diameter of internal bore 1101 so that air drawn therein through
the air inlet opening 122 can pass by the fluid container. Alternately or in addition
thereto, the wall of fluid container 130 may be formed with longitudinally extending
air channels. The smoking liquid composition 132 is output to the nebulization chamber
140 through a flexible conduit 134. As is known in the art, the flow of the liquid
smoking composition to or within the nebulization chamber is controlled by a valve
(demand type or controlled by the controller 150) or through the use of a wick that
supplies the liquid through capillary action on, for all practical purposes, a demand
basis.
[0013] The flexible conduit 134 may be formed of a flexible material, such as silicone,
polyvinyl chloride, nylon, neoprene, polyurethane, or natural and synthetic rubber,
to name a few. More rigid materials can be made sufficiently flexible by constructing
conduit 134 with an accordion or bellows type wall contour, as illustrated in Fig.
2. As an alternative to a single flexible fluid container 130 and according to the
invention, a segmented fluid container 130', shown in Fig. 12, is used. Fluid container
130' consists of container sections 136 fluidly connected in series by respective
flexible container conduits 138. Each flexible container conduit 138 may be formed
of like materials and/or constructed as was described for flexible conduit 134, including
provisions for allowing air to pass along the outer sides of the container walls.
[0014] As used herein, the term "nebulization" refers to a process for conversion of a liquid
into a spray, aerosol, mist or vapor, by either atomization or vaporization mechanisms.
Nebulization chamber 140 may be of the type that vaporizes the liquid smoking composition
132 supplied thereto through the use of an internal heating element, or the type that
atomizes the liquid smoking composition 132 using an ultrasonic transducer, such as
a piezoelectric transducer, to create an aerosol. Both types of nebulization chambers
are well known in the electronic cigarette art and thus the internal structure and
theory of operation are not being described herein. Nebulization chamber 140 is disposed
in the internal bore 1101 of tubular body 110 and is sufficiently smaller in diameter
than internal bore 1101 to be accommodated therein when such is disposed in an arcuate
contour. As is typical for such devices, nebulization chamber 140 is provided with
air inlet openings on a rear portion thereof (not shown) and the portion of internal
bore 1101 in which nebulization chamber 140 is disposed is defined as the fluid flow
path. Fluid flow path 124 extends from the air inlet opening 122, past the outer wall
of the fluid container 130, 130', through the nebulization chamber 140 to the suction
opening 126. An annular seal 144 encompasses the nebulization chamber 140 to block
air from bypassing passage through nebulization chamber 140.
[0015] A controller 150 is provided to control the operation of the nebulization chamber
140 in response to inhalation by a user. Such controllers are commonly used in conventional
e-cigarettes and may be in the form of a microprocessor or a digital, analog or hybrid
system on chip (SOC). Controller 150 has an input coupled to a sensor 152 via a pair
of the plurality electrical wires 156 connected to controller 150. The sensor 152
is located in fluid communication with the fluid flow path 124 for detecting a reduction
in air pressure in fluid flow path 124, as an indication of a user drawing in air
from the suction opening 126. Responsive to detection of the pressure drop, controller
150 energizes the nebulization chamber 140 through the electrical wires 142 to deliver
the liquid smoking composition/air mixture to the user as the user inhales through
the suction opening 126 of the mouthpiece 120. The mouthpiece 120 may be connected
to the tubular body 110 or integrally formed therewith.
[0016] Responsive to the detection of a user's inhalation through the device 100, controller
150 energizes a light emitting diode (LED) 154 via another pair of the plurality electrical
wires 156 connected to controller 150. LED 154 is disposed at the distal end 1102
of tubular body 110, but could be located at any desired location. End cap 170 is
coupled to the distal end 1102 of tubular body 110 and is light transmissive to serve
to both permit visualization of illumination from LED 154 and provide releasable coupling
with the opposing proximal end 1104 of tubular body 110, to be further described in
following paragraphs. The optical property of end cap 170 may range from transparent
to varying levels of translucency. To enable the energization of the nebulization
chamber 140 and LED 154, a power supply 160 is connected to controller 150 by means
of a pair of wires 158. Power supply 160 is formed by a plurality of batteries or
cells 162 that may be connected in series, parallel or a combination of series and
parallel by means of one or more interconnection leads 164 (depending on the connection
arrangement of the batteries). Each interconnection lead 164 is a flexible electrical
wire having a stranded or braided construction to allow for displacement of the batteries
162 when the contour of the internal bore 1101 changes in response to bending tubular
body 110.
[0017] A tubular body 110 with one or more bendable portions 112 provides the ability of
the electronic simulated smoking device 100 to be formed by a user into a contour
that at least partially encompasses a portion of the user's body so that it can be
worn as an ornament or an accessory. Depending upon the length and/or diameter of
tubular body 110, device 100 can be worn about such body portions as the neck, wrist,
or finger, as examples. It is contemplated that anywhere a user wears ornamentation
or accessories, device 100 can be configured to be similarly worn thereat.
[0018] As shown in Fig. 2, tubular body 110 may be reversibly bent into an annulus to encompass
such bodily structures as a user's neck or wrist. The tubular body is maintained about
the user using a releasable coupling 280 formed by complementary elements at the opposing
end portions 1102 and 1104 of tubular member 110 and is releasably retainable thereat.
End cap 170 is formed with an end portion 171 having a contour corresponding to an
internal contour of the suction opening 126 of the mouthpiece portion 120 to be received
therein. End cap 170 has a projection 172 extending therefrom with a locking head
portion 174 at the distal end thereof. When the end portion 171 of end cap 170 is
received in the suction opening 126, the projection 172 locates the locking head 174
so that it releasably lockingly engages the mouthpiece through opening 128. By this
arrangement, the electronic simulated smoking device 100 can be conveniently carried
by a user on the user's person; worn as a fashion accessory when not in use.
[0019] Other complementary elements at the opposing end portions 1102 and 1104 of tubular
member 110 can be utilized to provide a releasable coupling 280 to maintain the tubular
body 110 about a portion of the user's body. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, the
proximal end 1104 of tubular body 110 may be coupled to a mouthpiece 120' formed of
a metallic composition containing a ferrous metal. The opposing distal end 1102 of
tubular body 110 is fitted with an end cap 170' formed by a light transmissive tubular
member 176. The light transmissiveness of tubular member 176 can range from transparent
to varying levels of translucency. Tubular member 176 is coupled to the distal end
1102 of tubular member 110 by means of a coupling sleeve 178 affixed within the internal
bore 1101 of tubular member 110 and extending into the internal bore 1766 of tubular
member 176 to be affixed thereat. Within the internal bore 1766 of tubular member
176 adjacent the receiving end 1762 there is disposed an annular magnet 190. Thus,
the mouthpiece 120' is inserted into the opening 192 at the receiving end 1762 of
tubular member 170' to be magnetically held thereat. A user is able to release the
coupling of the distal end 1104 of tubular body 110 from the tubular member 176 by
applying a sufficient tensile force therebetween to overcome the magnetic attraction
between the annular magnet 190 and the metallic mouthpiece 120'. When device 100 is
in use, illumination from LED 154 is emitted through the opening 192 and an illumination
region 1764 located between a rear end of the annular magnet 190 and, at least, a
tubular member facing end of the coupling sleeve 178. The illumination region 1764
may be expanded in size through the use of a coupling sleeve 178 formed of a light
transmissive material.
[0020] Another alternative arrangement of releasable coupling 280 is shown in Fig. 6. Here,
the end cap 170' includes a tubular member 176 having an internal bore 1766 into which
the distal end 1102 of the tubular body 110 is received and affixed thereat. As in
the example of Fig. 5, tubular member 176 is formed of a material that has a light
transmissiveness that can range from transparent to varying levels of translucency
to emit illumination from the LED 154. The mouthpiece 120 portion of tubular body
110 at the proximal end 1104 thereof is insertable into the opening 175 to be received
and frictionally engaged within the internal bore 1766 of the tubular member 176.
A user is able to easily release the coupling of the distal end 1104 of tubular body
110 from the tubular member 176 by applying a sufficient tensile force therebetween
to overcome the frictional engagement between the tubular member 176 and the mouthpiece
120.
[0021] A further alternative arrangement of releasable coupling 280 is shown in Fig. 7.
The arrangement illustrated in Fig. 7 is particularly useful where the bendable portion
112 of tubular body 110 is formed of a metallic material. Here, an end cap 170" provides
threaded releasable engagement with a connector 200 affixed to the proximal end 1104
of tubular member 110. End cap 170" includes a coupling 194 rotatably affixed to the
distal end 1102 of tubular body 110. The proximal end 1104 of tubular body 110 is
coupled to a connector 200 from which the mouthpiece 120 extends. Connector 200 has
external threads 202 formed thereon.
[0022] The opposing distal end 1102 of tubular body 110 has a fixing ring 1114 affixed to,
and circumscribing, the outer surface thereof. The end cap 170" is formed with an
internal annular groove 196 into which the fixing ring 1114 is received to thereby
establish a rotatable connection to the distal end 1102 of tubular body 110. End cap
170" is formed of a plastic material with a light transmissiveness ranging from transparent
to varying levels of translucency to thereby emit illumination from the LED 154. The
end cap 170" may be formed of a plastic material that is sufficiently elastic to permit
the fixing ring 1114 to "snap" into the annular groove 196. Where a less elastic material
is used, the end cap 170" may have two longitudinally separate halves that are assembled
to the distal end 1102 of tubular body 110 and joined together thereat by any of a
plurality of conventional means. Accordingly, to couple the opposing ends 1102 and
1104 of tubular body 110, the mouthpiece 120 is inserted into the internal bore 1766
of the end cap 170" through the opening 195, as indicated by directional arrow 103,
and the end cap 170" is rotated to engage the internal threads 198 thereof with the
external threads 202 of the connector 200. To uncouple the ends 1102 and 1104 of tubular
body 110, the user simply rotates the end cap 170" in the opposite direction to thereby
disengage the threaded connection.
[0023] The bendable portion 112 of tubular body 110 may be formed of a variety of plastic
or metallic materials and may encompass the entirety of tubular body 110. As shown
in Fig. 8, the strength and/or elasticity of the bendable portion 112 of tubular body
110 may be improved by embedding a plurality of longitudinally extended wire members
1110 in the plastic wall 1100 to extend axially therein. The number, diameter, and
material of wire members 1110 is selected as a function of the characteristics to
be achieved.
[0024] Referring to Fig. 3, the wearable electronic simulated smoking device 100 may include
a bendable portion 112' of a tubular body 110' formed of a metallic material where
a strip of metal 1126 is helically wound in a partially overlapping manner to form
the annular wall of the flexible tube. This type of construction is commonly referred
to as a "gooseneck" tube or conduit. Where the "gooseneck" structure is being used,
the air inlet opening 122 is formed through one of the metal strips 1126.
[0025] Another metallic construction is illustrated in Fig. 4. Here, the wearable electronic
simulated smoking device 100 has bendable portions 112" of a tubular body 110" formed
of at least two helical springs 1106 and 1108. Each spring 1106, 1108 when oriented
for use of the device 100 is unbent and each spring has sufficient bias force between
the helical turns of the wire 1105 to be substantially impervious to air when a user
inhales through the tubular body 110". The two springs 1106 and 1108 are joined by
an inlet connector 180. Inlet connector 180 has a cylindrical tubular contour with
a through bore 186. The air inlet opening 122 is formed through the wall of inlet
connector 180 and is in open communication with the through bore 186. Opposing ends
of through bore 186 each have internal threads 182 and 184 into which the helically
wound wire 1105 of the springs 1108 and 1106 are respectively threadedly engaged.
The internal threads 184 may be right hand threads and the internal threads 186 may
be left hand threads. The springs 1106 and 1108 are correspondingly wound (opposite
to one another) so that both springs are simultaneously threadedly engaged responsive
to rotation of the inlet connector 180 being rotated in one direction relative to
both springs 1106 and 1108, as is done with a turnbuckle. Other methods of securing
the inlet connector 180 to springs 1106 and 1108, such as adhesive bonding, welding,
swaging, and the like may alternately be used. Similar methods may be employed to
join the mouthpiece connector and end cap to the free ends of the springs 1106 and
1108.
[0026] Turning now to Fig. 1, there is shown a wearable electronic simulated smoking device
100' that has a configuration where at least a portion of the tubular body 110 has
a fixed contour and at least another portion is bendable to change the contour thereof.
The wearable electronic simulated smoking device 100' has a tubular body formed by
bendable portions 112a, 112b and the portions 114a, 114b having a fixed arcuate contour.
The fixed contour portions 114a, 114b may be formed of plastic or metallic materials,
as can the bendable portions 112a, 112b, which bendable portions may be formed of
materials and structures as previously described in preceding paragraphs. By that
arrangement, the device 100' is able to at least partially encompass a portion of
the user's body and be releasably retainable thereat to thereby provide both the electronic
smoking function as well as serve as a fashionable ornament or accessory.
[0027] The operational components of wearable electronic simulated smoking device 100' are
distributed within the internal bore 1101a, 1101b of the tubular portions 114a and
114b. The portions 114a and 114b are joined by a mouthpiece connector 118 that has
a connector body 117 from which the mouthpiece 120 extends. Within the internal bore
1101b of arcuate portion 114b there is disposed a fluid container 130 with a supply
of a liquid smoking composition 132 therein. The fluid container 130 is fluidly coupled
to a nebulization chamber 140 by a flexible conduit 134. Nebulization chamber 140
is disposed in the fluid flow path 124 that extends from the air inlet opening 122,
through the through bore 119 of mouthpiece connector 118, to the suction opening 126.
As previously described, nebulization chamber 140 is provided with air inlet openings
on a rear portion thereof (not shown) to allow air to be drawn therethrough. An annular
seal 144 encompasses the nebulization chamber 140 to block air from bypassing passage
through nebulization chamber 140. The descriptions of the components 130, 132, 134,
and 140 and alternatives thereto apply to device 100' as well.
[0028] Within the internal bore 1101a of arcuate portion 114a there is disposed a sensor
152 in open fluid communication with the fluid flow path 124 for detecting a reduction
in air pressure in fluid flow path 124 as an indication of a user drawing in air from
the suction opening 126 of mouthpiece 120. Also in proximity to the fluid flow path
124 is an LED 154, which is illuminated when the sensor detects a user's inhalation
and operation of the nebulization chamber 140 is initiated. The sensor 152 and LED
154 are connected to a controller 150 via corresponding pairs of a plurality of electrical
wires 156. The controller 150 is provided to control the operation of the nebulization
chamber 140 in response to inhalation by a user, as was described in preceding paragraphs
and thus not repeated here. To enable the energization of the nebulization chamber
140 and LED 154, a power supply 160 is connected to controller 150 by means of a pair
of electrical wires 158. Power supply 160 is formed by a plurality of batteries or
cells 162 that may be connected in series, parallel, or a combination of series and
parallel by means of one or more interconnection leads 164, as appropriate to the
battery connection arrangement. Each interconnection lead 164 is a flexible electrical
wire having a stranded or braided construction.
[0029] The mouthpiece connector 118 may be formed of a plastic material with a light transmissiveness
ranging from transparent to varying levels of translucency to thereby emit illumination
from the LED 154. Alternately, mouthpiece connector 118 may be formed of a metallic
material with a light transmissive plastic insert incorporated therein to permit visualization
of illumination from LED 154. The proximal end 115a of the arcuate portion 114a of
tubular member 110 is received into the through bore 119 of the connector body 117
of mouthpiece connector 118 from one side thereof, and the proximal end 115b of arcuate
portion 114b of tubular member 110 is likewise received into the through bore 119
from the opposing side of connector body 117. By that arrangement, the through bore
119 and the suction opening 126 therewith are placed in open communication with the
fluid flow path 124 and the internal bore 1101a of the arcuate portion 114a of tubular
member 110 so that the sensor 152 is able to sense air pressure changes in fluid flow
path 124.
[0030] The mouthpiece 120 extending from the connector body 117 may be disposed at any angle
relative to the plane established by the tubular body 110. When the electronic simulated
smoking device 100' is to be worn about a user's neck, the angle of the mouthpiece
120 relative to the plane established by tubular body 110 is desirable to be within
a range of 0 degrees, as illustrated in Fig. 1, to 180 degrees. If the diameter of
the arcuate contour of the tubular body 110 is sufficiently large, the wearable electronic
simulated smoking device 100' can conveniently be used without removal from the user's
neck for an orientation of mouthpiece 120 relative to the plane established by tubular
body 110 within a range of 0 degrees to 90 degrees. With reference to Fig. 9, when
electronic simulated smoking device 100' is sized to be worn around a user's wrist
106 or finger 108, the angle of the mouthpiece 120 relative to the plane established
by tubular body 110 is desirable to be within a range of 90 degrees to 270 degrees.
A most convenient orientation for mouthpiece 120 in that application is at a substantially
180 degree angle, extending from the convex side of the arcuate contour of the tubular
body 110.
[0031] Referring to both Figs. 1 and 9, the bendable portions 112a and 112b respectively
extend from the distal ends 116a and 116b of the arcuate portions 114a and 114b. Each
of the bendable portions 112a, 112b have a proximal end 1122a, 1122b secured to the
distal end 116a, 116b of the corresponding arcuate portion 114a, 114b. Each bendable
portion 112a, 112b has a closed distal end 1124a, 1124b. The bendable portions 112a
and 112b may be formed of the same materials and/or structure as the bendable portion
of electronic simulated smoking device 100 discussed in preceding paragraphs. Accordingly,
when a user wishes to encompass a portion of their body, such as their neck, wrist
or finger, with the electronic simulated smoking device 100', the user bends the portions
112a and 112b outwardly, as indicated by direction arrows 102 and 104, and passes
the tubular body 110 around the selected portion of the user's body. Once positioned,
the user either releases the bendable portions 112a and 112b to return to their original
arcuate contour and at least partially encompass the selected portion of the user's
body, when bendable portions 112a and 112b have an elastic property, or manually bend
the bendable portions 112a and 112b back into an arcuate contour sufficient to at
least partially encompass the selected portion of the user's body and maintain the
electronic simulated smoking device 100' thereat.
[0032] Turning now to Figs. 10 and 11, there is shown wearable electronic simulated smoking
device 100". The electronic simulated smoking device 100" is structurally identical
to electronic simulated smoking device 100, previously described, but with a tubular
body 110 that is elongated to a greater extent than would be the case for device 100
for use with the same selected portion of the user's body, and without the components
that form the releasable coupling 280. Hence, a light transmissive end cap 170' is
coupled to the distal end 1102 of tubular body 110 and a mouthpiece 120 is provided
at the opposing end 1104. The extended length of tubular body 110 and the bendable
portion 112 therewith, the bendable portion 112 being essentially coextensive with
the entire tubular body 110, permits a user to wrap the tubular body 110 to form a
closed loop about selected portions of the user's body and thereby is releasably retainable
thereat. Thus, the tubular body 110 is able to fully encompass exemplary selected
portions of the user's body as the neck, wrist or finger. As an example of the application
of electronic simulated smoking device 100", Fig. 11 shows the device 100" being worn
about a user's finger 108. As the releasable coupling is not required to retain the
tubular body 110 about the user's finger 108, the user is able to easily access the
mouthpiece 120 without the necessity of removing it from their finger.
1. A wearable electronic simulated smoking device, comprising:
an elongated tubular body (110) having at least a portion (112) thereof being reversibly
bendable for said tubular body to at least partially encompass a portion of a user's
body, said tubular body having an air inlet formed therein, a suction opening (126),
and a fluid flow path (124) therebetween;
a fluid reservoir (130) disposed in said tubular body for providing a supply of a
liquid smoking composition (132);
a nebulization chamber (140) disposed in fluid communication with said fluid reservoir
and said fluid flow path for dispensing said liquid smoking composition to said fluid
flow path;
a sensor (152) disposed in fluid communication with said fluid flow path for detecting
an inhalation by the user;
a controller (150) coupled to said sensor and said nebulization chamber, said controller
being configured to activate said nebulization chamber responsive to said sensor detecting
inhalation by the user to add said vapor of the smoking liquid composition to air
drawn through said fluid flow path; and
a power supply (160) coupled to said controller,
characterised in that said fluid reservoir is formed of a plurality of chambers (136), adjacent ones of
said plurality of chambers being joined by a flexible conduit (134).
2. The wearable electronic simulated smoking device as recited in Claim 1, where said
bendable portion (112) of said tubular body has an annular wall formed of a flexible
material.
3. The wearable electronic simulated smoking device as recited in Claim 2, where said
flexible material of said annular wall (1100) is a plastic composition.
4. The wearable electronic simulated smoking device as recited in Claim 3, where said
annular wall (1100) of said portion of said tubular body has a plurality of longitudinally
extended wire members (1110) embedded in said plastic composition.
5. The wearable electronic simulated smoking device as recited in Claim 1, where said
bendable portion (112) of said tubular body has an annular wall formed to define a
flexible structure.
6. The wearable electronic simulated smoking device as recited in Claim 5, where said
annular wall is formed by a metallic strip (1126) helically wound in a partially overlapping
manner.
7. The wearable electronic simulated smoking device as recited in Claim 5, where said
flexible structure is a helical spring structure (1106; 1108).
8. The wearable electronic simulated smoking device as recited in Claim 1, where said
tubular body (110) has a pair of opposing ends releasably coupleable one to the other.
9. The wearable electronic simulated smoking device as recited in Claim 1, further comprising
an indicator (154), and said tubular body (110) having a light transmissive section
for viewing illumination from said indicator.
10. The wearable electronic simulated smoking device as recited in Claim 1, where said
fluid reservoir (130) is coupled to said nebulization chamber (140) by a bendable
conduit (134).
1. Tragbare Vorrichtung zum simulierten elektronischen Rauchen, umfassend:
einen länglichen rohrförmigen Körper (110), wobei mindestens ein Anteil (112) davon
reversibel biegbar ist, damit der rohrförmige Körper mindestens teilweise einen Anteil
des Körpers eines Anwenders umschließen kann, wobei der rohrförmige Körper einen darin
gebildeten Lufteinlass, eine Saugöffnung (126) und einen Fluidflusspfad (124) dazwischen
aufweist;
ein Fluidreservoir (130), das in dem rohrförmigen Körper angeordnet ist, um eine Zufuhr
einer flüssigen Rauchzusammensetzung (132) bereitzustellen;
eine Vernebelungskammer (140), die in Fluidkommunikation mit dem Fluidreservoir und
dem Fluidflusspfad angeordnet ist, um die flüssige Rauchzusammensetzung in den Fluidflusspfad
zu dosieren;
einen Sensor (152), der in Fluidkommunikation mit dem Fluidflusspfad angeordnet ist,
um eine Inhalation seitens des Anwenders zu detektieren;
eine Steuerung (150), die an den Sensor und die Vernebelungskammer gekoppelt ist,
wobei die Steuerung konfiguriert ist, um die Vernebelungskammer in Reaktion darauf
zu aktivieren, dass der Sensor Inhalation seitens des Anwenders detektiert, um der
Luft, die durch den Fluidflusspfad gezogen wird, den Dampf der Rauchflüssigkeitszusammensetzung
zuzufügen; und
eine Energieversorgung (160), die an die Steuerung gekoppelt ist,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Fluidreservoir aus einer Vielzahl von Kammern (136) gebildet ist,
wobei benachbarte von der Vielzahl der Kammern durch eine flexible Rohrleitung (134)
verbunden sind.
2. Tragbare Vorrichtung zum simulierten elektronischen Rauchen nach Anspruch 1, wobei
der biegbare Anteil (112) des rohrförmigen Körpers eine aus einem flexiblen Material
gebildete ringförmige Wand aufweist.
3. Tragbare Vorrichtung zum simulierten elektronischen Rauchen nach Anspruch 2, wobei
das flexible Material der ringförmigen Wand (1100) eine Kunststoffzusammensetzung
ist.
4. Tragbare Vorrichtung zum simulierten elektronischen Rauchen nach Anspruch 3, wobei
die ringförmige Wand (1100) des Anteils des rohrförmigen Körpers eine Vielzahl von
sich in Längsrichtung erstreckenden Drahtelementen (1110) aufweist, die in die Kunststoffzusammensetzung
eingebettet sind.
5. Tragbare Vorrichtung zum simulierten elektronischen Rauchen nach Anspruch 1, wobei
der biegbare Anteil (112) des rohrförmigen Körpers eine ringförmige Wand aufweist,
die so gebildet ist, dass eine flexible Struktur definiert wird.
6. Tragbare Vorrichtung zum simulierten elektronischen Rauchen nach Anspruch 5, wobei
die ringförmige Wand durch einen Metallstreifen (1126) gebildet wird, der spiralförmig
in einer teilweise überlappenden Weise gewunden ist.
7. Tragbare Vorrichtung zum simulierten elektronischen Rauchen nach Anspruch 5, wobei
die flexible Struktur eine Spiralfederstruktur (1106; 1108) ist.
8. Tragbare Vorrichtung zum simulierten elektronischen Rauchen nach Anspruch 1, wobei
der rohrförmige Körper (110) ein Paar sich gegenüber liegender Enden aufweist, die
lösbar aneinander gekoppelt werden können.
9. Tragbare Vorrichtung zum simulierten elektronischen Rauchen nach Anspruch 1, ferner
umfassend eine Anzeige (154), und wobei der rohrförmige Körper (110) einen lichtdurchlässigen
Abschnitt aufweist, um Beleuchtung von der Anzeige sehen zu können.
10. Tragbare Vorrichtung zum simulierten elektronischen Rauchen nach Anspruch 1, wobei
das Fluidreservoir (130) durch eine biegbare Rohrleitung (134) an die Vernebelungskammer
(140) gekoppelt ist.
1. Dispositif à fumer de simulation électronique portable, comprenant :
un corps tubulaire allongé (110) dont au moins une partie (112) peut être courbée
de manière réversible pour que ledit corps tubulaire entoure au moins partiellement
une partie du corps d'un utilisateur, ledit corps tubulaire ayant une entrée d'air
formée en son sein, une ouverture d'aspiration (126), et un chemin d'écoulement de
fluide (124) entre eux ;
un réservoir à fluide (130) disposé dans ledit corps tubulaire pour fournir une alimentation
d'une composition à fumer liquide (132) ;
une chambre de nébulisation (140) disposée en communication fluidique avec ledit réservoir
à fluide et ledit chemin d'écoulement de fluide pour distribuer ladite composition
à fumer liquide vers ledit chemin d'écoulement de fluide ;
un capteur (152) disposé en communication fluidique avec ledit chemin d'écoulement
de fluide pour détecter une inhalation par l'utilisateur ;
un dispositif de commande (150) accouplé audit capteur et à ladite chambre de nébulisation,
ledit dispositif de commande étant conçu pour activer ladite chambre de nébulisation
en réponse à ladite détection d'inhalation par le capteur par l'utilisateur pour ajouter
ladite vapeur de la composition liquide à fumer à l'air aspiré à travers ledit chemin
d'écoulement de fluide ; et
une alimentation électrique (160) accouplée audit dispositif de commande ;
caractérisé en ce que ledit réservoir à fluide est formé d'une pluralité de chambres (136), des chambres
adjacentes de ladite pluralité de chambres étant reliées par un conduit flexible (134).
2. Dispositif à fumer de simulation électronique portable selon la revendication 1, ladite
partie (112) pouvant être courbée dudit corps tubulaire ayant une paroi annulaire
formée d'un matériau flexible.
3. Dispositif à fumer de simulation électronique portable selon la revendication 2, ledit
matériau flexible de ladite paroi annulaire (1100) étant une composition plastique.
4. Dispositif à fumer de simulation électronique portable selon la revendication 3, ladite
paroi annulaire (1100) de ladite partie dudit corps tubulaire ayant une pluralité
d'éléments en fil métallique (1110) s'étendant longitudinalement, intégrés dans ladite
composition plastique.
5. Dispositif à fumer de simulation électronique portable selon la revendication 1, ladite
partie (112) pouvant être courbée dudit corps tubulaire ayant une paroi annulaire
formée pour définir une structure flexible.
6. Dispositif à fumer de simulation électronique portable selon la revendication 5, ladite
paroi annulaire étant formée par une bande métallique (1126) enroulée en hélice d'une
manière se chevauchant partiellement.
7. Dispositif à fumer de simulation électronique portable selon la revendication 5, ladite
structure flexible étant une structure à ressort hélicoïdal (1106 ; 1108).
8. Dispositif à fumer de simulation électronique portable selon la revendication 1, ledit
corps tubulaire (110) ayant une paire d'extrémités opposées pouvant être accouplées
l'une à l'autre de manière libérable.
9. Dispositif à fumer de simulation électronique portable selon la revendication 1, comprenant
en outre un indicateur (154), et ledit corps tubulaire (110) ayant une section transmettant
la lumière pour visualiser l'illumination provenant dudit indicateur.
10. Dispositif à fumer de simulation électronique portable selon la revendication 1, ledit
réservoir à fluide (130) étant accouplé à ladite chambre de nébulisation (140) par
un conduit (134) pouvant être courbé.